Western Sierra, Jan. 19 Report

FishRap StaffJanuary 19, 2017

LAKE ISABELLA: Very light fishing pressure and slow overall fishing as the lake level continues to come up (three vertical feet since last week). Still a few catfish showing on jumbo meal worms, shad, and mackerel. Most are two to three pounds, but some bigger. Few other reports. For fishing information: Bob’s Bait 661-833-8657 or www.bobsbaitbucket.com or North Fork Marina at 760-376-1812.

KERN RIVER: Flows in the upper Kern River have dropped back down from last week’s 6,000-plus flows, and they have been from 1,300 to 850 cfs in the last few days. The weekend’s storm could send those flows skyrocketing again. The river below the dam has remained about 300 cfs below the dam. Overall very slow fishing with no recent DFW trout plants. Information: Kern River Fly Shop 760-376-2040 (or kernriverflyfishing.com) or Gateway Market 760-376-2424.

AQUEDUCT NEAR TAFT: This remains the best bet in the Bakersfield area. There is still a fair to good bite on stripers and a decent percentage are keeper fish. The best action has been on Gitzits, Lucky Craft LV 500s, Rat-L-Traps and similar lures. The best baits are sardines and blood worms. Many of the fish are 3.5 to 5 pounds. Few reports on other species except for a few catfish on the baits. Anglers are reminded the limit on stripers is two fish greater than 18 inches, while the largemouth limit is five fish. Information: Bob’s Bait 661-833-8657 or bobsbaitbucket.com.

MILL CREEK PARK AND CANAL: No reports. Very slow.

RIVER WALK PARK LAKE: DFW trout plant last week, and another plant is slated for next week. The bite was fair for a few days after the stock, but has been slow to fair this week. The best action has been on PowerBait or inflated nightcrawlers doused with garlic oil. No other reports.

HART PARK LAKE: Slow with little fishing activity. A few bass still showing, and a few crappie on minnows or small jigs continue to be reported.

TRUXTUN LAKE: Slow overall with little activity. An occasional bass is showing on live minnows or nightcrawlers, and there has been the occasional crappie again this past week on small minnows.

MING LAKE: A DFW trout plant is scheduled for next week, and the last plant was four weeks ago. The trout action has been slow, but a few holdovers continue to show on PowerBait or nightcrawlers, with the garlic flavor added to both. No other reports.

BRITE LAKE: DFW trout plant last week and four weeks ago. The bulk of the fish were caught over the weekend in a pretty fair bite but few are showing this week. No other reports.

BUENA VISTA LAKES: There were trout plants last week and three weeks ago. The bite has been fair as more holdover collect. Anglers are reporting one or two fish for a half-day of fishing. Most of the fish continue to be nice quality rainbows in the one to three-pound class. Plants are tentatively set for every two weeks. The best action continues to be on PowerBait and MiceTails fished on very light line. No reports of crappie in the past few weeks, but there is traditionally a winter crappie bite this time of year. Other species are also very slow. Fishing information: Bob’s Bait 661-833-8657 or bobsbaitbucket.com.

WOOLLOMES LAKE: Overall slow fishing with few reports.

SUCCESS LAKE: The bass bite has been slow on plastics and jigs. Few other reports. The new marina is in operation. Information: Sequoia Fishing Company at 559-539-5626, sequoiafishingcompany.com.

KAWEAH LAKE: The bass bite slowed down with the cold weather over the past few weeks, but a few are still showing in deeper water on drop-shot plastics, jigs, or nightcrawlers. Other species are slow. Launch ramp open. Information: Sierra Sporting Goods at 559-592-5212.